Inside 20K Tarnish’s World: Music, Emotion, and Momentum
- Alexandria Anglade
- 10 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Written by Alexandria Anglade
20K Tarnish’s journey in music began as a spark among friends and grew into a lifelong path of self-discovery. Inspired by the early underground SoundCloud wave and his circle of creatives, Tarnish first dabbled in EDM production before his peers encouraged him to try rap beats. What started as curiosity quickly turned into passion. As his friends began rapping on his beats, he dedicated himself to learning the craft of mixing and mastering from scratch. Years of trial, growth, and personal change shaped his sound and vision.
Now, with a renewed drive sparked by his friend Zay, also known as “$wampbabii,” Tarnish creates music that reflects his emotions and experiences, aiming to give listeners something real to connect with.
Tarnish’s creative process thrives on spontaneity and mood. Some days, he can finish several tracks within hours; other times, he focuses all his energy on one single piece. Recording happens wherever inspiration strikes, whether it’s in his bedroom studio, a friend’s house, or even on a long road trip. His track “Idaho” was born that way, with lyrics freestyled on a 14-hour drive to Louisiana, blending memory, motion, and meaning into one.
Sonically, 20K Tarnish draws from a rich blend of southern influence, classic rap, and alternative genres like metal and rock. His accent, shaped by southern roots, and his exposure to 90s and 2000s rap intertwine with underground SoundCloud inspirations such as Thouxanbanfauni, Lil Tony, El Snappo, Lucki, Lelo, and Bashfortheworld. The result is a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking, grounded yet experimental.
His upcoming album Feel, set to release on November 22, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in his artistic evolution. The project is a reflection of growth, mistakes, and self-awareness. Tarnish uses this body of work to express struggles and realizations that words alone could not capture. Through Feel, he hopes to inspire listeners to reflect, rebuild, and use his lessons as a roadmap toward self-improvement.
Despite the challenges of networking as an independent artist, Tarnish has managed to build connections that keep his vision alive. He recognizes how crucial collaboration and genuine relationships are to success, acknowledging that many talented artists remain unseen due to lack of promotion or strong networks. For Tarnish, every conversation, show, and connection counts.
His most rewarding moment so far came in May 2025 when he opened for “Disrespect Boyz.” Though nervous about performing a different style of music, he took the stage with full confidence. By the end of his set, the crowd was moshing, vibing, and connecting with his energy. The experience proved to him that authenticity transcends genre. That night, he not only gained new fans but also reaffirmed his purpose as an artist.
Instagram: @20ktarnish
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